Text messaging defined

Someone commented the other day, “Remember when all you could do on a phone was talk?” And I did remember. It wasn’t that long ago. Phones have changed so fast that some of us may not understand their capabilities anymore. There are a number of cell phones that can go on-line (yes, like a computer), allowing people to use email, get directions, and all sorts of other things. These are the more expensive phones. Many phones have cameras built into them; others even have the ability to record video.

A more basic function of nearly all cell phones these days is text messaging. With this capability, a user can select a cell phone number, then type that person a little message instead of dialing that person. The message is sent to the person’s cell phone, where it waits to be read until the person is available. Receiving a text message is like receiving a voice message (in that the message is there waiting for you, and you read/listen at your convenience).
Text messaging does not require a cell phone to use the Internet; systemically it is the same as making a call. The catch is that many phone service providers charge extra for text messaging (sending and receiving), and if text messaging is not part of the service plan the company may charge a fee for each message (received and sent). There are all kinds of shortcuts in text-talk, like LOL (laughing out loud – what you type in response to a message that made you do that), JK (just kidding – something that might be obvious if people could actually hear each other), P911 (parent 911), and too many more.

Those of you who are unfamiliar with texting may wonder what the major attraction is. You must be used to talking to actual persons and having conversations where you can read the inflections in the other’s voice and hear laughter or uncomfortable silence. (As in, actual human conversation…) While I am a huge fan of such communication, let me try to name some of the highlights of texting.
1) Allows people to communicate in quiet environments: work, school, library, subway, commuter train, bus. (You can determine if this is good or not. Teachers can hate cell phones because students sometimes try to text each other during tests.)
2) Lets a person send a quick note without having to risk getting into a long phone conversation.
3) Less intrusive than a call. Solves the problem of, “I should call, but I just want to leave a message, I don’t want to intrude” since it is only a message.

There are loads of people who certainly must know of many more highlights, but that’s all I’ve got, since I always prefer face-to-face communication, however tedious, tiring, or awkward it may get at times.
 L8R.